Daniel Boone was not a farmer. A fact he pointed out to his wife on many occasions telling her, "I'm the long hunter." To which she'd reply with a laugh, "Well, go hunt us some corn then!" But he did his best. He stood now, amidst the corn doing his best, but his mind was thinking of being out in the wilderness chasing after game.
"Is that Daniel Boone?" Mingo called to him. "It can't be. He's no farmer."
"Mingo! You are back!" He smiled at his friend. He walked over to the Cherokee and the two shook hands.
"I've been looking all over for you. Your traps are in fine condition. I predict the best year ever." He said with a wink.
"Thank you, Mingo. I can't thank you enough. Well, c'mon up to the cabin. Becky will say her thanks through food. You look like you could use a couple of meals."
"I had a dream about Rebecca's Irish stew two days ago. But she's not at the cabin. I was just there."
"She wasn't?" Daniel looked puzzled. "Well, maybe she went for water or berry picking. She never goes to the fort anymore."
Mingo could tell Daniel was worried. He followed him to the cabin, which was empty. "The children went into the fort today. It is little Merriam Hobley's birthday. Maybe Becky decided to walk with them." But after checking the fort, there was no sign of her. They searched the river, the berry patch, the garden, everywhere, but Rebecca was nowhere to be found.
"Do you have any ideas?" Mingo asked him. Daniel stood in the doorway of the cabin looking out to the fields and wilderness beyond. It had just started to rain.
"She doesn't talk much of late." The tall man answered sighing heavily.
"Pa," Jemima said. "There's some hot stew and biscuits."
"That's alright, sweetheart. But could you put some food in a pack for me? I guess I'd better go after your Ma." He smiled at his daughter, and she nodded her head.
"I thought you didn't have any ideas." Mingo said.
"Just one, but I was hoping she had the good sense not to head out into hostile territory in the middle of a rainstorm all alone." He sighed. "She's got a half-day's start on me too. I better take the horse. Mingo, can you get the children inside the fort? Do you mind?"
"I'll stay here with them. No sense taking them out in the rain."
"Thank you seems to be all I say to you these days." Daniel said.